With over a decade of experience as a chef, I’ve crafted countless pizzas at my restaurant, Dequte Restaurant LironBoylston. Over the years, I’ve tested numerous pizza ovens, and after using the Big Horn Pizza Oven for several months, I’ve gathered valuable insights on its performance.
If you are looking for affordable pizza ovens, you may have come across the Big Horn pizza oven, which is often compared to premium Ooni models. But how does the Big Horn measure up to its more expensive counterparts, and is it worth it?
While reviewing the Big Horn Pizza Oven, I assessed its quality and materials, temperature control, shape, first-time usage impressions, power source, size, ease of cleaning, and conducted a real pizza cooking test to determine the cooking time. To fully understand my testing process and expertise, check out my article: “How I Test Pizza Ovens.”
Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links for the Big Horn Pizza Oven. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That said, my review is based purely on my real hands-on experience as a professional chef with over ten years in the restaurant industry. The affiliate links have no impact on the honest opinions and feedback I’m sharing here.
Features Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
The Big Horn pizza oven has several amazing features:
- It has a compact and portable design with folding legs.
- The oven can heat up to 900°F
- It comes with a 12″ x 12″ ceramic pizza stone.
- Uses wood pellets as fuel which adds a smoky flavor to your pizzas.
Product Specifications
| Dimensions | 21.6”L x 14.2”W x 24”H |
| Square Pizza Stone Dimensions | 12”L x 12”W |
| Weight | 25lb |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
Assembly And Usability Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
While I haven’t had any issues using the Big Horn pizza oven, I get that it might be tough for others. If the manual’s confusing, I recommend checking out YouTube or Reddit for help. Because once it’s set up, using it is really easy. But, finding the right heat might need some tries, especially if you’re new to making pizza outdoors. You might need to try a few times to get it just right, but you’ll learn with some practice. So far, here’s what i did: Unpack all those parts and pieces and figure out how they fit together. I found that connecting everything securely was pretty straightforward, but the instructions are there if you need them. Once the main body is built, attach those foldable legs to the base so your oven has a nice, solid stand. Now, onto the fuel. These ovens run on wood pellets, which you gotta pour into that hopper box in the back. Keep an eye on it and refill when needed so you don’t run out mid-pizza session. Before you start, take a peek inside at the firebox and pellet hopper and make sure there’s no random thing blocking things up. Then, grab your lighter or some matches and light those pellets in the firebox. Keep that small flame going for a bit until the pellets catch and start burning on their own.
Unboxing And First Impressions Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
The Big Horn pizza oven has a metallic finish that catches your eye as soon as you open the box. It’s light and easy to carry around, which is perfect for outdoor cooking. The packaging was sturdy enough that the oven arrived in intact. Inside the box, you’ll find the oven’s parts,some extra parts, and a manual with instructions.
Quality And Materials Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
After using this oven for a while, I’ve noticed some things that match what other users have said. The stainless steel build looks great and feels solid. The silicone door seal also adds to its durability and can be easily replaced if needed. The cordierite pizza stone is a good detail, as it’s known for handling high temperatures and distributing heat evenly. However, like many reviewers have mentioned, there are some issues with temperature control. It seems the materials used affect how well it maintains heat. Despite this, I believe that with proper care, this oven still serves its purpose reasonably well. It might not be perfect, but it’s certainly a good option for home cooks.
Shape And Its Importance For Pizza Cooking
The round shape of the oven helps distribute heat evenly, ensuring the pizza is cooked to perfection every time. This guarantees each slice has a crisp crust and melted cheese. The dome design also facilitates good air circulation, maintaining consistent heat throughout the cooking process. Whether you’re preparing traditional Neapolitan pizzas or your own unique creations, the oven’s shape plays a crucial role in achieving delicious results.
Temperature Control Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
Handling this oven’s temperature have been a struggle to some users, but I’ve got some advice to help you out. This oven gets hot fast, so you need to watch it closely to make sure your food doesn’t get burnt. So the trick is to get a secondary thermometer and manually calibrate the temperature settings. That way you can account for the difference of the temperatures.
Using The Big Horn Pizza Oven For The First Time
The Big Horn pizza oven is an affordable option that appeals to many people. Although it performs reasonably well, it could potentially do even better. This is particularly true if purchasing a higher-quality oven would cost significantly more. However, the Big Horn pizza oven remains a good choice for those who enjoy making pizza at home without spending a lot.
Power source of the Big Horn pizza oven and what makes the best pizza?
This wood pellet oven imparts a delightful smoky flavor to the pizza that many people enjoy. You can also use charcoal or other types of pellets if you prefer. But the wood pellets add an extra layer of delicious flavor to your pizzas. As for what makes the perfect pizza, it really depends on your personal preferences and what kind of pizza you’re in the mood for. The best pizza is the one that you truly want to eat.
Size Of Big Horn Pizza Oven
This compact oven may surprise you with its spacious interior. Despite its small exterior, it can comfortably fit a large 12 inch pizza. The oven’s size makes it perfect for baking pizzas of different sizes, making it great for outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a small family event or a larger party with friends, this oven can handle baking a variety of pizzas and appetizers to cater to everyone’s tastes.
How to clean the Big Horn pizza oven?
As far as cleaning is concerned, it’s actually quite user-friendly. Just take out the parts, give them a quick clean, and that’s it. If you cook a lot of pizzas, it’s important to regularly clean out the ashes from underneath the oven. This will help keep your oven working properly. Additionally, if the oven gets dirty, especially after cooking seafood or fish pizzas, you’ll need to clean the fire tray and grill as well. When cleaning, be careful because there are several sharp edges inside the oven.
Is it possible to use the Big Horn pizza oven inside the house?
This oven can be used both inside and outside.If you use it inside. Just make sure there’s proper ventilation; otherwise, you risk damaging your ovens and bringing smoke and fumes into your home. Aside from that, keep all combustible items away from the oven.
How much time does the Big Horn pizza oven take to make a Margherita pizza?
A week ago, I made a Margherita pizza in the Big Horn pizza oven, and it turned out beautifully. My pizza took around 1.5 minutes to cook after I put it in after 15 minutes of preheating.The cheese was sizzling and the crust was crunchy and golden.To achieve the same result, do what I did until the temperature reaches 500–550°F, then it’s time to cook. Get your ingredients ready while the oven heats up. Roll out your dough and place it on a dusted peel or piece of parchment paper. Spread your sauce, making sure to leave some room for the crust. Next, add the cheese and toppings.
Pre-Heating Time On The Big Horn Pizza Oven
The Big Horn pizza oven reaches 500-550 degrees Fahrenheit in about 15-16 minutes, but depending on the weather it might also take a little bit longer. But, you can adjust this temperature as needed to for the dish you are making.
What else can you cook in the Big Horn pizza oven?
You can do more than just bake pizza in the Big Horn pizza oven. It can also prepare a variety of foods. Its high, even heat is ideal for grilling meats to get a flavorful sear, or roasting vegetables to bring out their natural flavors. You may also get a crispy crust and a soft interior by baking bread in this oven.
Drawbacks Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
One complaint I and several other users have about the appliance is that the handle on the oven door does not always close securely while the oven is heating up. An oven door that seals tightly is necessary to maintain heat; otherwise, the pizza crust will not get crispy. Another problem is lighting the wood pellets, particularly for those who are not experienced with outdoor cooking. To be honest, when I first started, I had to get used to working as a chef, but eventually, it gets easier.
Based on feedback on Amazon, some buyers have also reported receiving ovens with minor dents, which is possibly a problem with the packing or couriers. Aside from that, some users said that their ovens stopped working after just a month, which is another letdown but expected with the price.
Price Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
The Big Horn pizza oven is priced at $136.99 for the silver model and $149.99 for the black model. Considering its features, these prices seem reasonable. And compared to other outdoor pizza ovens on the market, the Big Horn is great, especially since it has similar functions to the more expensive ovens. See the latest price on Amazon.
Many also claim the Big Horn pizza oven as a more affordable alternative to the Ooni pizza oven. The Ooni is one of the best pizza ovens on the market, but ranges from $300 to $800. However, the Big Horn pizza oven offers similar features at a much lower cost. This makes it appealing for those on a budget who still want the taste and convenience of homemade wood-fired pizza. But like any product, it has its limitations.
How does the Big Horn pizza oven compare to other outdoor pizza ovens?
The Big Horn pizza oven may not be as fancy as some other pizza ovens, but it still does a good job. For its price, you get an oven that works well. And compared to similar ovens, the Big Horn is affordable, has a decent performance, and is versatile.
User Reviews Of The Big Horn Pizza Oven
The Big Horn pizza oven has received mixed feedback from users. Some people have reported problems like having trouble putting the door back on and trouble controlling/maintaining the temperature. However, others have successfully modified it to run on gas, allowing it to reach very high temperatures, up to 900°F. I also agree with some users that using a thicker stone would help the oven hold heat better. Despite these issues, many users are overall satisfied with the oven’s performance. YouTube channels like JTVLife and Blake’s Garage offer great advice on using the oven effectively. These are great resources to use to know how to operate your ovens at home, but individual experiences may vary. Overall, with some manual adjustments and practice, the Big Horn pizza oven is a reliable and budget-friendly option for outdoor pizza lovers looking to improve their cooking skills. See more reviews on Amazon; there are plenty of positive ones.
My Cooking Tips For The Big Horn Pizza Oven
As someone with experience using the Big Horn pizza oven, here are some tips to to make your cooking journey easier.
- Clean the pizza stone after each use. A scrub with a grill brush and wipe with a paper towel is enough, just make sure any leftover residue is removed.
- Have your wood pellets readily available to maintain a consistent fire and prevent the oven from cooling down.
- Use a blow torch to ignite the firebox and remember to uncover the chimney. Evenly distribute the pellets on the top layer to promote efficient burning.
- Avoid overloading the firebox with pellets at once. This is because it can cause excessive smoke and they may not ignite properly. Add the pellets gradually to maintain control over the heat and prevent smoking.
- When adding pellets, remove the oven doors to create a draft as this can make ignition quicker.
Is the Big Horn Pizza Oven Worth It?
While it might not have all the features of the Ooni oven, the Big Horn pizza oven still does a decent job and is more affordable.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to use and clean
- Compact and easy to move/carry
Cons:
- Some minor issues with the design and quality
- Needs practice to be used properly
Chef’s Opinions
While the Big Horn pizza oven is a bit hard to use it is worth it for the price. Here’s why I rate it 4 out of 5 stars:
It’s made of decent materials and with proper maintenance, it can last a good while. And it can consistently cooks up delicious appetizers or desserts provided you take all the necessary precautions and practiced with it. It’s not perfect, it might be too compact for larger kitchens and doesn’t offer some of the advanced features found in more expensive models. However, it’s reasonably priced and performs effectively for home chefs and smaller get-togethers. If you’re willing to invest a bit more, the Ooni pizza oven could be a superior option, addressing some of the concerns people have with the Big Horn. If you decide to get one, please consider using my referral link.